Events
Jingle & Mingle: Holiday event focused on queer immigrant stories
The Los Angeles Blade partnered with AIDS Healthcare Foundation affinity group The Latino Outreach and Understanding Division (LOUD)
WEST HOLLYWOOD – The Los Angeles Blade, partnered with AIDS Healthcare Foundation affinity group The Latino Outreach and Understanding Division (LOUD), on held December 22, a joyful evening of food, hobnobbing, music, and entertainment at HEART WeHo.
The event attracted a diverse crowd of 150 people from the worlds of politics, entertainment, nightlife, media and community members from around the SoCal area.
The event kicked off with a vibrant performance by Drag star Melissa BeFierce and Veronica, opening the show with a review of Jennifer Lopez’s Spanish language hits, “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” “Como Lo Flor,” “Amor Prohibido” and “I Could Fall in Love.”
Blade publisher Troy Masters welcomed the crowd:
“I have learned from someone very special to me that people who are in this country as an asylum seeker, a DACA recipient or as an Undocumented person, you do not have access to the same legal protections that I do, that most of you do,” he said. “I believe that is one of the many inequalities facing immigrants that needs to be addressed and that’s one of the topics I hope we will discuss tonight,” Masters added.
Masters then introduced Edwin Millán, International President of LOUD, who greeted the many VIPs in attendance and thanking everyone for “giving up their Friday night before Christmas to support this event and the LGBTQ immigration community.”
Millán then presented 4 panelists representing a diverse immigration experience; Gretta Soto Moreno, a Mexican trans who said that it took her 13 years to obtain asylum, but that during that time she experienced difficult situations, including spending three years in prison; Jesús Paizano, a 22-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker who explained that after two and a half years, he still has not received a resolution; Hans Vompakerth, a 23-year-old undocumented Colombian gay, said that he has not yet decided to apply for asylum for fear of facing deportation; and Laura Morales García, who arrived in the United States when she was two years old, explained what it was like to get DACA and what this means for her.
Editor’s note: For the original reporting in English regarding the panelists please go to this link: (here)
Aquí están sus historias
El viaje de Gretta Soto Moreno es un testimonio de las dificultades que enfrentan los solicitantes de asilo y las luchas dentro del sistema de detención de EE. UU. Gretta, una mujer transgénero que huye de años de tormento, soportando agresiones y amenazas en México, su país de origen, lamentablemente se encontró sufriendo abusos similares al llegar a EE. UU.
Antes de irse, la familia de Gretta desconocía sus luchas, centrándose en lugar en sus propios asuntos. México no solo era violento, sino también aislante y traumatizante. Es un lugar difícil para ser uno mismo auténtico.
Pero hubo momentos felices, como la fiesta navideña de la oficina donde se presentó valientemente como Gretta, sorprendiendo a una colega católica que, según Gretta, no tenía idea. “Se sorprendió porque notó a esta ‘mujer bonita’ organizando la fiesta; yo también me sorprendí porque cuando se dio cuenta de que era yo, estaba extasiada”, dijo Gretta. “Su reacción fue tan inesperada y me hizo sentir especial”.
Las personas transgénero, especialmente en un lugar como México, rara vez encuentran tal aceptación.
Gretta sufrió la pérdida de su mayor defensora cuando su abuela falleció. Ella había sido la fuerza más protectora y solidaria en su vida. “Cuando murió, me sentí tan sola y perdida… Ella siempre supo que era diferente de los demás niños, pero para ella eso me hacía muy especial”. Al darse cuenta de que estaba sola y de que su vida no mejoraría en México, eligió buscar asilo en Estados Unidos. Pero su viaje migratorio estuvo lleno de desafíos.
El arresto y la condena relacionada con el alcohol de Gretta complicaron su solicitud de asilo. Y como persona transgénero que tuvo que abordar su encarcelamiento pasado, las cosas se volvieron muy complicadas, una historia que refleja la situación de muchas personas trans en circunstancias similares. “Mis condenas por alcohol me hicieron muy difícil convencer al juez de inmigración de que mi reclamo de asilo era legítimo; y eso es realmente difícil porque como persona trans, que te crean o que cuestionen tu verdad es realmente traumático”, dijo.
En el Centro de Detención de Eloy, Gretta soportó abusos y la negación de medicamentos esenciales para personas transgénero, repitiendo los mismos horrores de los que huía. Trasladada a una unidad LGBTQ en Santa Ana, las esperanzas de alivio se desvanecieron a medida que los registros invasivos persistieron, ignorando su identidad e infligiendo un trauma mental y físico severo.
La historia de Gretta arroja luz sobre la cruel realidad que enfrentan los inmigrantes, exponiendo el desprecio insensible por la identidad y el abuso sistémico prevalente dentro de los centros de detención. Su narrativa revela el sufrimiento profundo soportado por personas como ella, independientemente de sus antecedentes o luchas.
Gretta es una especie de guerrera por los derechos de los solicitantes de asilo trans y se ve a sí misma como alguien que lucha contra un oponente mucho más grande. “Me encanta la historia de David y Goliat. Lo pienso como una historia de amor gay, en la que el rey Saúl se enamoró de David”, dice. David, al igual que Gretta, luchó contra un oponente mucho más grande, esperando llevar paz y seguridad a una tribu de personas a las que amaba.
“Amo a mis hermanas y hermanos trans y haré lo que sea necesario para hacer del mundo un lugar mejor y para hacer del asilo un lugar seguro y afirmativo”, dice. “Nadie que busque cambiar su situación debería ser castigado y obligado a regresar a ella. Pero los inmigrantes son personas vulnerables que a menudo descubren que defender nuestros derechos resulta en complicaciones que empeoran la situación”, explica. “Juro cambiar eso”.
Jesús Paizano es un estudiante que rara vez pasa por alto un detalle y puede enfrentarse a las personas más inteligentes de la habitación, incluso a personas tres veces mayores que él. Entonces, cuando se propone algo, va a por ello con confianza y no hay nada ni nadie en su camino que pueda detenerlo.
Quizás esa sea una cualidad que adquirió después de ver a su padre, un jugador bien conectado en el gobierno de Hugo Chávez, perdiera todo. “Mi papá trabajó con el gobierno de Hugo Chávez y luego con el presidente Nicolás Maduro. Pero tuvo un desacuerdo con Diosdado Cabello, quien también es uno de los más altos diplomáticos de Venezuela. Mi padre se negó a seguir órdenes arbitrarias y, en respuesta a eso, fue políticamente arruinado y destituido”.
Jesús fue testigo de primera mano del impacto que tuvo en su padre y toda su familia, ya que las normas de privilegio, paz, posición, posesiones y su sentido de seguridad les fueron arrebatados. Venezuela desde 2013, cuando Jesús tenía solo 12 años, descendió lentamente a una situación de extrema violencia política y desastre económico que ha resultado en una crisis humanitaria y un éxodo sin precedentes: más de 7 millones de personas han huido.
Desde niño, veía el mundo a través de ese prisma arrugado y, en su adolescencia, se dio cuenta de que sus posibilidades de éxito eran muy limitadas. Añade a eso su realización de que ser gay en una cultura muy cerrada y machista era otro golpe en su contra; de hecho, conoce a muchos jóvenes homosexuales que fueron víctimas de violencia homofóbica, algunos de los cuales se quitaron la vida o simplemente desaparecieron.
Determinado a salvarse a sí mismo, decidió huir. Jesús puso su mirada en Estados Unidos, convirtiéndose en uno de los más de 1 millón de solicitantes de asilo venezolanos del mundo. Por supuesto, eso significó despedirse de la familia y, aunque estuvo lleno de ansiedades no expresadas, la promesa de un futuro más brillante superó el dolor de la separación. Y, además, era joven y “nunca pensé en ello como una despedida”.
El viaje a la frontera de Estados Unidos cerca de San Diego no fue tan aterrador como cruzar realmente a Estados Unidos. Siendo pragmático, cuando vio a la policía, decidió entregarse de inmediato y comenzar a presentar su solicitud de asilo. Durante los siguientes seis meses, fue enviado de centro de detención a centro de detención. “La detención a veces daba miedo y me enfermé mucho y también tuve Covid, pero había algo en ello que era gratificante”, dijo. “Había otras personas gay y algunas personas trans y nos cuidábamos mutuamente”.
Finalmente, se conectó con un patrocinador en Los Ángeles que le envió un boleto a LAX. “Me recogieron y lo primero que hicimos fue ir a The Abbey y luego a la casa. Nunca había sentido un alivio tan grande en mi vida”.
Al establecerse en Estados Unidos, Jesús encontró un panorama muy diferente al de su tierra natal. La apertura de su identidad LGBTQ se destaca en marcado contraste con las limitaciones que enfrentó en casa. “En el camino, sin embargo, ha habido lecciones de civismo que fueron una sorpresa”. Jesús dice que hay una brecha peligrosa en la capacidad de un inmigrante para obtener justicia a través del sistema judicial ordinario. Él dice: “la diferencia entre los derechos que tiene un inmigrante y los de un ciudadano estadounidense crea una brecha que se puede usar para controlar o manipular e incluso explotar a las personas”, dice. “Los inmigrantes dudan en luchar por sus derechos legales cuando han sido agraviados o heridos e incluso cuando han sufrido agresiones o violencia en su contra”, dice. “La gente teme que de alguna manera pueda afectar su caso de inmigración”. Él aboga apasionadamente por una defensa más fuerte y acceso a un sistema que proteja y empodere a todos, independientemente de su estatus de ciudadanía.
“Yo soy un inmigrante, no un extraterrestre”, declara. “Bueno, tal vez soy un extraterrestre, pero no del tipo terrestre”, bromea. “Pero creo en la IGUALDAD”, dice refiriéndose a las diferencias en los derechos de recurso legal que tiene un inmigrante en comparación con un ciudadano estadounidense.
“Amo a este país y cuando me convierta en ciudadano estadounidense, lo honraré como un privilegio otorgado por uno de los pocos países donde la democracia aún sobrevive. Pero tiene que hacerlo mejor para proteger los derechos de los inmigrantes que ya están aquí”, dice. Jesús se niega a ser encasillado por suposiciones sociales.
Se ve a sí mismo no como un forastero, sino como un contribuyente, listo para enriquecer la vida estadounidense. “Un día espero tener hijos y quiero que tengan una vida libre de las cosas que experimenté en Venezuela”, dijo. Jesús cree en segundas oportunidades y no está limitado por dogmas religiosos ni moralizaciones; en cambio, desafía todo eso. “No creo en el cielo ni en el infierno. Nadie sabe la respuesta sobre si hay una vida después de la muerte”, dice. “Todo lo que sé es que todo tiene un comienzo y un final. Y me gustaría creer que después de que algo termina, hay un nuevo comienzo”.
(Foto de Jorge Barragán)
Hans Vompakerth es un joven gay de 23 años de Medellín, Colombia, y a pesar de ser indocumentado, dice que no tiene miedo de contar su historia.
“Hay miles de personas como yo y no les suceden cosas malas, así que ¿por qué debería guardarlo en secreto?”
Después de todo, no ha hecho nada malo, dado el poco acogedor ojo oficial de las autoridades de inmigración al llegar a los Estados Unidos.
“Hubo dos ocasiones en las que ingresé a los Estados Unidos cerca de Tijuana… La primera vez me devolvieron al lado mexicano de la frontera”, dice. Pasó un año y lo intentó de nuevo.
“Me capturaron y me procesaron como antes, pero esta vez, en lugar de devolverme al lado mexicano, me llevaron, a mí y a un grupo de personas, en un automóvil blanco del gobierno y nos dejaron en medio de la nada en el lado estadounidense. Nos dejaron buscando civilización”.
La determinación de Hans de venir a los Estados Unidos parece provenir de su respeto y admiración duraderos por su trabajadora madre. Son tan cercanos que la única persona que sabía que iba a salir de Colombia era ella. El resto de su familia estaba en la oscuridad hasta que él se instaló de manera segura en los Estados Unidos y su madre los informó.
“Lo hice por ella. Trabajó tan duro para mantener unida a la familia y supongo que, como el hijo mayor, quería hacerle la vida más fácil y proveer para ella, mis 3 hermanas y mi hermano menor”, dice.
Sin embargo, en marzo pasado, la familia sufrió una tragedia. Su hermano menor, de 20 años, dejó el hogar sin avisar. Después de unos días de búsqueda constante y preocupación, la familia fue informada de que su cuerpo había aparecido en una isla cercana.
“Me sentí impotente. No pude regresar ni hacer nada excepto ayudar con todos los gastos”, dijo con dolor. “Tuve que consolarme sabiendo que mis hermanas estaban allí para cuidar de ella mientras ella lloraba”. A pesar de las presiones familiares, en Estados Unidos, Hans dice que tiene un nuevo sentido de la vida que contrasta fuertemente con los oscuros desafíos que enfrentó en su tierra natal.
“Siento que soy mucho más respetado y aceptado por todos. Me siento mucho más resiliente y feliz, y eso me ha permitido superarlo todo. Cuando murió mi hermano, lloré trabajando más duro y usando el dinero para cubrir los gastos del funeral. Todos los días, pasaba horas en WhatsApp con mi mamá y todavía lo hago”.
Entonces, no fue la violencia y la homofobia lo que motivó a Hans a dejar Colombia. “Nunca fui víctima de discriminación o violencia en Colombia”, dice. “Huí de una situación donde había escasez de todo, sin recursos en general, ni siquiera suficiente comida. Vivía en constante tumulto económico, incluso mi propia salud se vio afectada. No había trabajos.
“Y si mi mamá y mi familia iban a sobrevivir”, dijo, “tenía que huir”. “No experimenté violencia ni homofobia hasta que puse un pie en México y tuve contacto con las autoridades de inmigración de Estados Unidos”, dijo. “Fueron horribles conmigo”.
Pero desde que llegó a Los Ángeles, Hans dice que no ha experimentado discriminación ni violencia. Aunque ha requerido persistencia y no ha sido fácil, Hans dice que su viaje de inmigración ha sido lo más importante que ha hecho en su vida. “Fue una decisión que lo cambió todo para mí y mi familia”.
Pero aún no ha logrado lo que llama su sueño americano, obtener estatus legal y vivir en este país sin temor a ser devuelto. Hans tiene una perspectiva muy positiva y una creencia en la bondad innata de las personas, aunque es muy consciente del lado oscuro. “Mudarme a este país”, declara, “ha cambiado mi vida. Vivir en Estados Unidos me ha ayudado a levantarme, a ser disciplinado, a ser sensible, a aprender más, a cuidarme más a mí mismo y a ayudar a todos los que me importan”.
(Foto de Jorge Barragán)
Laura Morales García nació en Durango, México y llegó a Los Ángeles a la temprana edad de 2 años, donde llegó con su familia indocumentada.
Ha pasado toda su vida defendiendo a los beneficiarios de DACA y es una de las principales expertas en el tema y una destacada defensora. Se graduó de Los Angeles High School y fue la primera en su familia en asistir a la universidad, obteniendo su título en Psicología Clínica.
García se dedica al servicio público y trabaja para educar a los estudiantes de secundaria sobre la comunidad LGBTQ+.
Es embajadora de AHF, representante de farmacias y enlace comunitario de AHF para la prevención y atención del VIH.
The event was sponsored by Los Angeles Blade, LOUD, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the office of LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, the office of LA County Supervisor Chair Lindsey Horvath and Equality California.
Denounce hate by calling (833) 866-4283 or 833-8-NO-HATE, callers can report anonymously Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Events
“Butterflies are free. Humans deserve to be free too.” Queerceañera honors local queer Latine community
The L.A. LGBT Center’s annual event centered queer Latine art, resources and resilience
On Friday night, rainbow-dyed cloth, butterflies, balloons, and flowers surrounded drag queen Lushious Massacr as she fluttered across a stage, her bedazzled, princess-like dress cascading behind her in hot-pink waves. The crowd stood enchanted as she lip-synched along to her baile de sorpresa: a surprise dance performed by a young girl for loved ones attending her 15th birthday celebration.
It is Lushious’s birthday — but she is turning 37. Nearly two decades later, she is celebrating the quinceañera she never got to have. “When I was a little boy, I never could have imagined a world where I would be allowed to celebrate my quinceañera. The majority of people were still very allergic to queerness,” Lushious told the crowd. “Tonight, we will celebrate the little girl inside of us. She wasn’t allowed, and she wasn’t given permission. The little girl will be given permission tonight.”
This reclamation and queering of tradition was a recurring theme at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s annual Queerceañera, also known as Queerce. The event provides a space for queer Latine community members to dance, be connected to resources and support, and embrace themselves in the company of loved ones, chosen family, friends, and fellow queer strangers alike. This year’s Queerce, themed “Mariposas Sin Fronteras,” or Butterflies without Borders, forged a cocoon that allowed guests to steep in the comfort of acceptance and liberation. This respite, though lasting only a few hours, is for many queer people a necessary safe haven in an increasingly tumultuous political and social landscape.
“This year has been so heavily marked by attacks on immigrant communities, attacks on the Latine community, specifically in Los Angeles,” Los Angeles LGBT Center Chief Equity Officer Giovanna Fischer told the Blade. “Our work’s directly impacted by that, because we serve a lot of the Latine community in Los Angeles…We’re seeing an uptick in people accessing our immigration and legal services. So, how do we take this event that is celebratory and will remain celebratory in nature, to still be responsive to what our community is going through?”
Resource tables dotted the courtyard at the center’s plaza, where Queerce took place, and offered various bilingual pamphlets on sexual health, legal advocacy, Know Your Rights resources, as well as connections to Mi Centro: a Boyle Heights community center formed in collaboration with the Latino Equality Alliance that provides HIV testing, a food pantry, outreach events, mental health support, legal services and other programs.
Fischer also discussed that the Center’s staff members have been trained on how to respond to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers as raids and operations continue to take place across Los Angeles. This training is part of organizational efforts to increase community safety as spaces — especially LGBTQ+ Latine ones — come under close political scrutiny and threat.
One of Queerce’s honorees, Oliver Alpuche, stressed the importance of preserving these spaces. A decade ago, he founded the non-profit DTLA Proud to organize festivals, block parties, and marketplaces that uplift queer identity and celebration. In a tearful speech, Alpuche stated that queer spaces are in “trouble.” They are places “where we gather, we plan, we protest, [and] we celebrate,” Alpuche said on Friday night. “We need to keep them alive. And my commitment going forward is to create a Rainbow District in Downtown where we are all accepted, where our culture could meet our queerness and thrive in a space where representation matters.”
Queer Latine representation shone brightly at the event, with electric reggaeton remixes spun by DJ Bella Spreads and a tender art show by multimedia installation artist Yulissa Mendoza. The show was comprised of two works: “¿Eres de la ciudad o del rancho?” and “Siéntate, Mi Amor,” the latter of which was displayed at the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Arts and Culture in 2024. A tangible, interactive piece, “Siéntate, Mi Amor,” features a table modeled after the one at Mendoza’s grandmother’s home. Covered with a delicate crochet tablecloth, it was adorned with keepsakes, like a lightly crumpled sleeve of Marie biscuits, a note with a gas bill neatly scribed on it, and another that said: “Love you.”
“It’s almost a universal table of sorts,” Mendoza said, recounting to the Blade about how, as a child, sitting at a communal table felt endless and boring. It wasn’t until they had developed close queer friendships and a deeper understanding of their own identity in adulthood — much of which happened around a table — that they began to rethink what this early experience meant to them. “I think it was really my chosen family that allowed me to see the spaces that I grew up in as formative and important…My art now is me honing in on those cultural traditions and practices, [and to] showcase them in a way that is not only archiving them, but making them something of my own.”
Their work speaks to the practice of art as transformation — how historical and familial ties can be strengthened through a different kind of perspective: one that holds a deep kind of self-knowledge. Here, art is time travel. Art allowed Mendoza to form new branches from early, misunderstood roots. Deeply informed by their relationships to their queerness and their Latine heritage, Mendoza has created a new kind of space that is both familiar and totally new. They are creating a different pathway and gathering ground illuminated by queer imagination, and the melding of both past and future.
As community members gathered for Queerce, a question lingered in the air: what does an expansive and safe future look like? While there may not be a clear, definitive answer, events like these highlight the efforts, resilience and solidarity that power marginalized, queer communities. “You think butterflies listen to anyone who tries to tell them when they can or cannot fly? Butterflies are free. Humans deserve to be free too!” Lushious Massacr said. “In a world that demands that queer people hide, we refuse. In a country that demands that immigrants run and hide in fear, we refuse. We will not be afraid, and we will not ask for permission to live our lives.”
Events
The Los Angeles Blade Partners with AJSOCAL to host gala uplifting AAPI joy and resistance
AJSOCAL is hosting its annual gala at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel on Thursday, October 16th; Los Angeles Blade serves as Gala Media Partner.
This year, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), a leading legal and civil rights organization that fights for policies defending Asian American and Pacific Islander community members, is hosting its annual gala at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel on Thursday, October 16th. The Los Angeles Blade serves as the organization’s 2025 Gala Media Partner, spotlighting feature issues on two LGBTQ+ policy advocates who have spearheaded the organization’s AAPI Queer Joy coalition as well as one of the event’s honorees, first-time Los Angeles City councilmember Ysabel Jurado.
A special edition run of these features, as well as other Los Angeles Blade stories, will be available at the gala. Other honorees and special guests at this year’s event include Bird Marella’s managing partner, Paul Chan, Pasadena Fire Department fire engineer Chien Yu, former Biden cabinet secretary Julie Su, and others. The gala will be hosted by anchor and broadcast journalist David Ono and will feature a performance by local band Kokoro.
L.A. City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado will be presented with the 2025 Trailblazer in Justice Award, celebrating those who break barriers, open doors, and pave new paths, by the Los Angeles Blade and AJSOCAL.
More information can be found here.
WHERE: The Westin Bonaventure Hotel – Downtown LA
404 S Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
WHEN: Thursday, October 16
4:30 pm Media Check-in
5:15 pm Red Carpet Opens
6:30 pm Event Begins
6:45-9:00 pm Program and Dancing
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Founded in 1983, AJSOCAL supports over 15,000 individuals and organizations annually. By offering free legal help, engaging in impact litigation, conducting crucial research, and advocating for policy change, AJSOCAL prioritizes the most vulnerable members of AAPI communities while fostering a robust advocacy for civil rights and social justice. Offices are in downtown Los Angeles and Orange County, with satellite offices in Sacramento, ensuring accessibility for
all.
Events
“We are glimmers of hope”: LGBTQ+ advocates deliver powerful speeches defending queer rights at Equality Awards
The 2025 Equality Awards honorees were Fran Drescher and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights
On Saturday evening, nearly 700 people packed the lower-level ballroom of the lavish Fairmont Century Plaza hotel for LGBTQ+ civil rights organization Equality California’s annual awards ceremony. Throughout the night, several speakers took passionate stands on the urgent and unequivocal need, now more than ever, to support queer communities and the organizations working to protect their rights and liberties. Senator Lena Gonzalez and Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, two of the event’s co-chairs, encouraged attendees to create a direct impact by making donations. The goal for the evening was $125,000.
As soft pink light and the clinking of cutlery at dinnertime enveloped the room, host Bob the Drag Queen wove lightness and humor in between speeches with his signature biting humor and commanding stage presence. “I do a lot of galas, so sometimes they kind of bleed together,” he told the Blade. “But it’s never lost to me: the work that is being done at these things and the people whose lives are being helped. Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in the rigmarole of, ‘Oh, another gala. More rich people giving money.’ But then that money does end up going somewhere and doing something really substantial.”
Around half an hour into the program, Equality California’s executive director, Tony Hoang, delivered, without hesitation, a promise that the organization is dedicated to resisting and unraveling the harm of the administration’s threats to policies and programs that support queer and trans youth, immigrants, and other community members. “The courts will not save us. Congress will not save us. What will save us is sustained organizing, day in and day out,” Hoang said. “While they’re trying to silence us, this is the moment to double down, to share your story, to invest your time, to invest your resources.”
Comedian and radio host Jesse Thorn also took the stage to speak candidly about raising trans kids and how exhausting this last year has been. When his first child came out as trans almost ten years ago, he feared for her safety, but was introduced to various resources, support groups, and care options that gave him hope as a parent. “It felt like we were on a steady path to safety,” he said. “I only wish that I still had that safe, optimistic feeling. Right now, I just feel sick to my stomach.”
Thorn recounted trying to shield one of his children from a transphobic commercial that came on during a 49ers game he’d been watching, and how, more recently, he was told that the clinic that provided gender-affirming care to his children was shuttering. “Do we fight? Do we run away and hide? Are we traumatizing our kids if they know the stakes?” he said. “If we reply to someone’s post on Facebook with the name of our new doctor, will someone turn them into the feds?”
While it feels like he and his wife have had to make a new call every day to recalculate next steps for their family, he finds comfort in thinking about queer and trans family members, friends, and elders who resisted systemic violence and fought for their right to stability, equality, and happiness. “[I] think of all these people that gave so much of themselves to live a joyful life,” Thorn told the Blade. “It’s the readiness, the lack of hesitance that I have felt from not just the queer community more broadly, but particularly those earlier generations. They see the analogy is direct, and they’re fighting.”
Other notable speeches of the night included one of the evening’s two honorees: actress, former SAG-AFTRA union president, and 90’s sitcom icon Fran Drescher. As she shimmied onto the stage with a wide smile to accept the National Labor Leader Award, she cracked jokes before honing in on the importance of defending the lives of marginalized people. She spoke about the successful strikes she led at SAG-AFTRA, which led to historic negotiation deals in favor of the union’s workers, as well as her own battles with misogyny as she took on leadership roles later in her career. “I can lead with intellect and empathy and wisdom — and I can still rock a red lip!” she declared.
“As members of a labor union or citizens of a nation, it behooves us all to resist these manipulations, to make kindness and compassion our compass, to remain stalwart in our unity above all else,” Drescher concluded. “I’ll just close by saying this: love is love. Thank you.”
The other honoree of the evening was the Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), an organization that has been paving the way in developing programs, initiatives, and rallies to advance civil rights for immigrant communities. CHIRLA’s executive director, Angelica Salas, who has led the group for over 20 years, accepted the ceremony’s Community Leadership Award and addressed the crowd with empowering remarks.
Off the heels of a march protesting the administration’s executive orders, which have authorized unjust arrests and detainments of immigrants, Salas was clear in her criticisms and calls to action. “We want ICE out of our schools. [We want] ICE out of our clinics and hospitals,” Salas said. “Like it or not, our LGBTQ+ Americans and immigrants make this country more beautiful, more powerful, and more united…We are rainbows, we are color, we are glimmers of hope…Equality California, we got your back, and I know you got our back. So, let’s fight together.”
As the night wound to an end, several items were fought over during an energetic live auction, including vacation getaways to Paris and Puerto Vallarta, a Sabrina Carpenter concert experience, and memorabilia associated with late activist Marsha P. Johnson. By 9:30 p.m., the $125,000 donation goal was achieved and even surpassed by over $5,000.
Arts & Entertainment
Pride Under the Pines in Idyllwild continues for its 5th year, despite social media backlash
Pride Under the Pines, founded by couple Jeremy Taylor and Niels Kosman, continues on October 4th with live performances, drag, activism, and fellowship
Within Riverside County, in the San Jacinto Mountains, lies the charming community of Idyllwild, known for its beautiful scenery, artistic vibe, and recreational activities. Located just an hour from Palm Springs, it also boasts a growing LGBTQ contingency.
Idyllwild captured the hearts of couple Jeremy Taylor and Niels Kosman, the owners of PS Homeboys, one of Palm Springs’ top interior design and art boutiques. Frequent visitors to Idyllwild, Taylor and Kosman began to wonder why the town never held its own Pride. Taking matters into their own hands and partnering with business owners in the city, Pride Under the Pines debuted on October 23rd, 2021, with over 800 attendees.
Not only was the event a success in terms of LGBTQ representation for the community, but local businesses reported a boom in sales and customers. Pride Under the Pines has since become one of the most anticipated Idyllwild events of the year.
This year, the event celebrates its 5th year with a bang, turning up the glam. The day’s festivities will feature headliners Janice Robinson (“Dreamer”, “There Must Be Love”) and West Hollywood’s Prince Joshua, go-go studs, DJ Galaxy (courtesy of KGay), Congressman Candidate Brandon Riker, and community health partners, with a drag line-up that includes Mayhem Miller, Violeta, and Abigail Beverly Hillz. Los Angeles Blade publisher Alexander Rodriguez will serve as the day’s emcee.
This year continues ahead, full force, despite social media backlash for the event’s signage, hanging smack dab in the center of town. Pride Under the Pines founders Taylor and Kosman are unwavering in their mission to bring queer representation to “The Hill.” They chatted with us as they put the final touches on next week’s programming.
What was the inspiration behind creating Pride Under the Pines?
We wanted to create something truly grassroots and community-driven—a Pride that felt intimate, authentic, and rooted in love. Idyllwild is a magical mountain town that has always embraced diversity, and we thought it was the perfect setting to bring people together in celebration of LGBTQ+ pride, visibility, and joy. We were the first Pride Festival since the pandemic, and it all started when we used Idyllwild as our lockdown escape. We fell in love with the town and its community. Through conversations, we learned there is a large LGBTQ community that also feels the need to be heard and seen. This Pride was started to shine a bright light on the local queer community and to bring awareness to everyone else.
What makes Pride Under the Pines different than other Prides?
Unlike many large-scale city Prides, this event has an intimate, small-town charm. You’re surrounded by nature, pine trees, and a community that genuinely rallies together. It’s not about corporate floats—it’s about neighbors, friends, and allies lifting each other up. That balance of heart, inclusivity, and stunning mountain setting makes it truly one-of-a-kind.
What is your mission in producing Pride Under the Pines?
Our mission is to create a safe, joyful, and visible space where the LGBTQ+ community and our allies can come together. We want to celebrate diversity, promote equality, and strengthen connections in a way that uplifts both the queer community and the town of Idyllwild.
What have been some of your biggest challenges in establishing this event over the years?
Permitting, logistics, and funding have always been challenges for grassroots organizers like us. Each year, we navigate county regulations, rising costs, and unexpected hurdles. And of course, building something from scratch in a small town takes time and persistence. But the love we receive from attendees makes every obstacle worth it.
What have you loved most about working on this project?
The connections. Seeing people who’ve never been to Idyllwild fall in love with the town. Watching LGBTQ+ youth feel seen. Hearing allies say this is their favorite event of the year. And, most of all, the joy of building something meaningful together as a couple, a team, and a community.
What can we expect from this year?
Our 5th anniversary is the biggest yet! A brand-new location at the Idyllwild Town Hall, incredible headliners like Janice Robinson, fabulous drag performances, DJs, live music, a beer garden, delicious food, and a VIP experience with open bar and meet-and-greets. It’s going to feel like a full festival while still keeping that warm community spirit.
Your sign is in the middle of town. Why is it so important to grow visibility in today’s climate?
Visibility saves lives. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack nationwide, putting a Pride banner in the center of town says: We are here, we are proud, and we are part of this community. It’s a statement of resilience and hope—for queer people in Idyllwild, for visitors, and for anyone driving by who needs to feel seen.
You have received hateful social media comments. How does that make you feel? What is your first reaction?
Of course, it stings—but more than anything, it strengthens our resolve. Hate is loud, but love is louder. Our first reaction is to lean on our allies, our friends, and the outpouring of positivity that always follows.
Did you ever consider cancelling Pride because of hateful comments? What makes you continue to put it on?
Never. If anything, the hate shows exactly why this Pride is needed. We continue because the LGBTQ+ community deserves visibility, joy, and safety in every town—not just the big cities. We continue because love is stronger than hate.
What do you want to say to those who want you to shut down Pride Under the Pines?
We’d say this: Pride isn’t about you. It’s about love, equality, and visibility for people who have historically been silenced. No amount of hate will stop us from celebrating who we are.
On a fun note, how did you two meet, and how long have you been together?
We met years ago in Palm Springs—two creatives who bonded over design, humor, and a shared love for community. We’ve been together for over a decade, and every year just gets better.
You also own and run your business together. How do you maintain a healthy relationship while working so hard together and putting on events?
We laugh. A lot. We balance each other’s strengths and give each other space when needed. We’ve learned how to divide and conquer, but also when to come together. At the end of the day, we love what we do and we love each other—that makes even the hard days easier. We say if you can run a business together and produce a Gay Pride for 5 consecutive years, we must be doing something right.
What do you love most about the queer community in the Coachella Valley?
The diversity and resilience. Our community here is vibrant, creative, and unapologetically itself. Whether in Palm Springs, Idyllwild, or beyond, there’s a sense of family that’s deeply inspiring. We all support each other, whether we patronize each other’s business or we lift each other up through conversation and showing up. It is truly an amazing feeling, that sometimes we feel people forget to remember.
What is your message to the community?
Stand proud, stand visible, and stand together. We need each other more than ever. Come to the mountains, celebrate with us, and remember that Pride isn’t just a party—it’s a powerful act of love, resilience, and community.
The event will be held at Idyllwild Townhall / 25925 Cedar St, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549
Events
Founder Mariah Hanson’s final Dinah Shore Weekend gets all-star lineup
Reflecting decades of growth and change, this year’s lineup bridges generations, honoring the past, celebrating the present, and looking toward a future of love and inclusion.
Dinah Shore founder Mariah Hanson is ending her run with the most iconic queer women’s festival with a star-studded lineup that is pulling out all the stops. Past guests, rising stars, queer icons, and aspiring queer talent will take the stage for a once-in-a-generation celebration of queer culture, music, and legacy. Dinah Shore takes place from September 24th to the 28th at the Riviera Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, CA.
Leading the charge are L Word icons Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey, gender-nonconforming queer NY Rapper Princess Nokia, dance music icon Crystal Waters, fast-rising, compelling voice in alternative pop SkyDxddy, boundary-pushing artist Only1 Theory, and returning fan favorites Xana and Mariah Counts— all prepared to set the stage ablaze in this historic closing act.
Returning as the longtime host of The Dinah pool parties is Rose Garcia, joined this year by Kaycee Clark, star of CBS’s Big Brother and MTV’s The Challenge. Some of the hottest DJs in the queer scene — DJ P. Nasty, DJ Les Ortiz, DJ Lotus Banks, DJ KG Fresh, DJ Tatiana, and DJ Alex D. — will be behind the decks, delivering pulse-pounding sets that will keep the crowd dancing, connecting, and living for every moment.
The Dinah 2025 is an invitation to join Mariah in a powerful tribute to the legacy she created and to experience the unparalleled magic that only The Dinah can deliver. This year’s Dinah isn’t just Hanson’s last—it’s her most meaningful. With the Dinah, Hanson didn’t just
build a festival, she built a family.
Tickets and full event details are available now at www.thedinah.com
Events
The Blade wins Excellence in LGBTQ+ Reporting Newsroom Award at NLGJA Los Angeles Press Pride event
The Los Angeles Blade, HuffPost’s Lil Kalish, and GALECA’s John Griffiths took home top awards at Press Pride Prom, a benefit and awards ceremony held at Grand Central Air Terminal on July 26, 2025.
Members of the journalism industry gathered together this last weekend to celebrate the nominees and winners for three inaugural journalism awards for Southern California journalists and newsrooms who championed LGBTQ+ stories in 2024. The Los Angeles Chapter of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists presented this Press Pride Prom inaugural event.
Over 200 attendees gathered in Glendale at the historic Grand Central Air Terminal to celebrate. The evening was presented by ABC7 and hosted by award-winning journalist Tracy Gilchrist. The ceremony also included a moving performance by the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles and a hilarious appearance by drag king Charles Galin King.
The Los Angeles Blade took home the first award of the evening, the Excellence in LGBTQ+ Reporting Newsroom Award. The award recognizes a news outlet whose coverage of the queer and trans community is well-informed, complex, varied, and intersectional, with a track record of promoting The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists’ mission to advance fair and accurate coverage of LGBTQ+ communities and issues. The other nominees were LAist and Variety. Team members of the Blade took to the stage, including publisher Alexander Rodriguez, writers Rose Montoya, Rob Salerno, and Joel Medina, and former editor Gisselle Palomera to accept the award.
The evening also included the presentation of the Queer Beat Award for Excellence in LGBTQ+ Reporting, honoring a single story or series that demonstrates care, skill, and a commitment to fair and accurate reporting of LGBTQ+ themes, issues, and people. This year’s winner was “She Was Supposed to Be at Pulse Nightclub — And Club Q. Now She’s Fighting To Keep LGBTQ+ People Safe” by Lil Kalish for HuffPost.
Another special moment for the Blade took place in the presentation of The Troy Masters Legacy Award for Visionaries in Media, presented in collaboration with the Blade and LA NLGJA, honoring a journalist or news media professional whose work reflects a dedication to the craft of journalism and a commitment to setting the stage for the next generation of LGBTQ+ industry leaders. The award is named in honor of Troy Masters, veteran queer journalist and former publisher of the Los Angeles Blade, who passed away last year.
This year’s winner was John Griffiths, founder of GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ
Entertainment Critics and Dorian Awards.
The final presentation was presented by the office of State Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur, for District 51. Joshua Marin-Mora gave a moving speech and delivered proclamations to each of the winners.
We are honored by our win and extend our congratulations to the LA NLGJA for a successful and important evening. A big thank you to our readers, who continue to support our efforts.
Events
Los Angeles Blade to take special part in NLGJA Los Angeles inaugural journalism awards
Three inaugural journalism awards will honor those who championed LGBTQ+ stories in 2024, including the Troy Masters Legacy Award for Visionaries in Media, in honor and memory of our founding publisher.
On July 26, 2025, at the Grand Central Air Terminal, the Los Angeles chapter of the NLGJA, the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, will host Press Pride Prom, a benefit and awards ceremony honoring Southern California journalists and newsrooms. Three inaugural journalism awards will honor those who championed LGBTQ+ stories in 2024.
The Los Angeles Blade, in collaboration with the NLGJA, will present the Troy Masters Legacy Award for Visionaries in Media, honoring a journalist or news media professional whose work reflects a dedication to the craft of journalism and a commitment to setting the stage for the next generation of LGBTQ+ industry leaders. Troy Masters was a veteran, queer journalist, and founding publisher of the Los Angeles Blade who passed away unexpectedly last year.
The inaugural nominees are nominees include Mariah Castañeda, co-founder of LA Public Press; veteran journalist LZ Granderson, who currently serves as an OpEd columnist for the Los Angeles Times and an ABC News contributor; and John Griffiths, founder of GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics and Dorian Awards.
The Los Angeles Blade is honored to be given this opportunity by the NLGJA to pay homage in such a profound way to Masters and the legacy he created, and that the Blade continues to cultivate, for the queer community.
NLGJA LA co-president Hansen Bursic shared, “We are honored to present an award this year in honor of beloved Los Angeles publisher and journalist Troy Masters. These nominees embody Masters’ dedication to LGBTQ+ journalism and his passion for community building in Southern California and beyond.”
The Los Angeles Blade is further honored to be listed as a nominee for the event’s Excellence in LGBTQ+ Reporting Newsroom Award, honoring a news outlet whose coverage of the queer and trans community is well-informed, complex, varied and intersectional, with a track record of promoting The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists’ mission to advance fair and accurate coverage of LGBTQ+ communities and issues. We are nominated alongside LAist and Variety.
The evening will also include the presentation of the Queer Beat Award for Excellence in LGBTQ+ Reporting, honoring a single story or series that demonstrates care, skill, and a commitment to fair and accurate reporting of LGBTQ+ themes, issues, and people. The nominees include A Night They Can’t Remember, at One of the Country’s Most Popular LGBTQ+ Bars by Kate Sosin and Steven Blum for The 19th; Banned Rainbows and ‘Forced Outing.’ Will Elections Reshape This Relentless School Board? by Jaweed Kaleem for the Los Angeles Times; and She Was Supposed to Be at Pulse Nightclub — And Club Q. Now She’s Fighting To Keep LGBTQ+ People Safe by Lil Kalish for HuffPost.
NLGJA LA co-president Katie Karl remarked, “These nominees represent the diverse and passionate spirit of Southern California’s LGBTQ+ journalism community. At a time when queer and trans stories and journalists are under attack, we are proud to uplift a few of the incredibly talented journalists who are speaking truth to power and helping tell our community’s stories.”
The awards, presented by ABC7, will be hosted by veteran LA-based journalist and GLAAD award winner, Tracy Gilchrist. The ceremony will be held on July 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. in Glendale at the historic Grand Central Air Terminal. The evening will be prom-themed, giving attendees the opportunity to relive high school memories as their authentic selves.
Early bird tickets are on sale now until June 20. Tables and regular tickets will also be available
to purchase through July 18. You can learn more and get tickets here.
Arts & Entertainment
L.A. Black Pride honors Noah’s Arc TV series with Community Legacy Award
As the show marks its 20th anniversary, it’s returning with a highly anticipated new chapter
Two decades after Noah’s Arc changed the game for queer, Black storytelling in Hollywood, Patrik-Ian Polk returns to Los Angeles Black Pride for a legacy celebration honoring the sparkling new chapter in the show’s story.
Grab your popcorn…
During LABP’s finale event on Sunday, July 6 at The Abbey, the festival will present its Community Legacy Award to director, producer and trailblazing storyteller Patrik-Ian Polk. Polk is known for creating Noah’s Arc, a show that premiered 20 years ago on Logo TV — the first queer-centered commercial cable network. It’s a more-than-appropriate tribute as Polk’s iconic series helped define Black queer media and its influence remains undeniable today.
“The idea for Noah’s Arc was born over 20 years ago at the opening night party for Black gay Pride in Los Angeles,” recalled Polk. “I was struck with the idea to create a Black gay Sex and the City-type series. I literally declared to myself at that party that I was going to make it happen. I vowed that within one year the show would be a reality. And it was.”
A Polk announced that Noah’s Arc: The Movie, will debut this summer. The reunion is a nostalgic and formidable reminder of how vital Black queer storytelling remains today.
This year, LABP’s programming reflects that vision more than ever. With community panels, wellness activations, art installations and nightlife events curated specifically for Black LGBTQ audiences, the weekend is about visibility and shaping our future.
Part of this future means honoring and celebrating those pioneers who laid the groundwork.
Each summer, thousands of Black LGBTQ folks join together in Los Angeles to celebrate who we are, reclaim space, share our joy and continue to write our communal story. Over the years, LABP has evolved from a weekend of parties, into a powerful cultural movement. It serves up a dynamic blend of celebration, storytelling, wellness and activism that honors every aspect of Black queer life.
LABP is a pulsing and vibrant archive where history is not just remembered but made, where our chosen family comes together and where new generations of creatives, organizers and leaders emerge. Under the guidance of cultural producer Brandon Anthony, LABP has come to be a platform for expression and impact, holding a mic to Black and brown queer voices that are far too often left on the margins of mainstream Pride narratives.
Originally premiering in 2005, Noah’s Arc was the first scripted television series to center the lives of Black, gay men. It was groundbreaking in its portrayal of love, intimacy, vulnerability and friendship. Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, Noah’s Arc gave us characters who felt real to those watching. For so many, it was the first time seeing themselves fully reflected in television.
“LA has always been a hub for Black queer creativity and culture,” said Polk. “But there are fewer and fewer spaces like that today and fewer events that spotlight our stories in full color. So I’m truly honored to be recognized, and I’m glad to see LA Black Pride and innovators like Brandon Anthony continuing to center and celebrate our community in meaningful ways. It is sorely needed.”
LABP’s commitment to centering and uplifting BIPOC queer narratives is genuine and intentional. As corporate Pride celebrations more often than not lose sight of grassroots needs and at times, reality, LABP’s undertaking is both critical and necessary. Here, heritage and foresight go hand in hand. Through its awards, art-centric events and community programming, LABP celebrates and sustains Black queer voices. For Brandon Anthony, who has reimagined LABP with a focus on accessibility and authenticity — the mission is clear.
“We’re creating the space we’ve always deserved. That means programming that reflects our culture, leadership that reflects our lived experiences, and events that pour back into the community.”
As Black queer youth, elders, artists, and allies come together for this year’s festivities, they do so in celebration, more importantly, in solidarity. LABP is a sanctuary, yes, but it is also a statement.
We are here. We have always been here. And our stories matter.
Polk’s recognition at LABP is a full flex in Black queer history. A show idea that started at a Pride party two decades ago is now being celebrated by the very community that inspired it. And with a new generation of storytellers ready to make their mark. Los Angeles Black Pride continues to champion voices like Polk’s while creating space for the next wave of storytellers to rise by honoring, sharing and supporting their stories. There will be music, mimosas and maybe a few tears of joy along the way.
To purchase tickets or for more information, head to http://losangelesblackpride.org/
Arts & Entertainment
Dances with Films Provide Much-Needed Representation of Queer Films at 28th Annual Festival
The 2025 outing of DWF will play a total of 254 films, with the theme “Find Your Truth,” making this is one of Los Angeles’ largest independent film festivals
Jackie Tepper, Producing Partner and Documentary Programming Chair for the 28th annual Dances with Films Festival in Los Angeles, is thrilled to have an array of LGBTQIA+ movies and series at this year’s festival.
“We feel that it’s important for the LGBTQIA+ community to be heard, especially now given our political climate,” acknowledged Tepper. “We have always championed these projects, but even more so now. We are proud to shine a spotlight on these amazing films.”
This year, three features, eight shorts, and four pilots will play at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre from Thursday, June 19 through Sunday, June 29. The 2025 outing of DWF will play a total of 254 films, with the theme “Find Your Truth,” making it Los Angeles’ largest independent film festival. A complete list of films and events, the festival schedule, passes and tickets, and more are available online here.
The features slate begins with the World Premiere of Lane Michael Stanley’s “T” on Friday, June 20 at 7:15PM. Filmed over lead actor Mel Glickman’s real-life first year taking Testosterone, “T” is a fictionalized, never-before-seen journey of nuanced transmasculine discovery, authentically portraying the moving struggles and joys encountered in friendships, family, and romantic relationships.
“We are incredibly honored to present such a diverse queer slate each year, added DWF co-founder Michael Trent. “Pride Month is a time of celebration and visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community, and we are so proud to shine a spotlight on these exceptional filmmakers who use their voice and art to promote acceptance and understanding.”
One of the highlights of the festival is the queer comedy TV pilot, “Gasbag,” which had its World Premiere at Dances With Films NYC last December. It screens in Pilots Block 6, Saturday June 28 at 3:30PM.
“Gasbag is the epitome of the scrappy ‘can do’ spirit that Dances With Films celebrates,” said writer and producer Lynn Rosen. “I often write about subjects that mystify me as a way to understand them, and overtalkers like George Nordstrom, my lovable protagonist, fit that bill. So when Covid lockdown struck, I wrote Season 1 for a few theatre friends, including fabulous character actor and co-EP, Chad Kessler, as a way to stay connected and keep our spirits up. We shared this DIY inaugural season with friends as a way to spread the joy we felt making it. People loved George and his band of merry misfits so much we felt we had to make Season 2.”
One notable film in the feature documentary category is Chris Coats’ “FLAMINGO CAMP,” where a group of young queer and trans anarchists create a thriving safe space for themselves in the squatter town of Slab City, known as Flamingo Camp.
The shorts programming kicked off on Friday, June 20 at 4:45 PM in the Documentary Shorts Block 1 with DWF alumna Cheri Gaulke’s LA premiere of the documentary, “Old Girl In a Tutu: Susan Rennie Disrupts Art History,” in which feminist scholar Susan Rennie seizes her iPhone and sneaks her queer, octogenarian body into master works of art, disrupting the narrative of the male gaze.
Head of Narrative Short Film Programming Lindsey Smith-Sands loves the brief glimpse that short films give viewers into other people’s lives.
“One thread throughout the short films this year is finding your true self and LGBTQIA+ stories work well with those themes,” Smith-Sands noted. “The exciting shift is seeing how LGBTQIA+ characters are portrayed in many of these narratives as the confident, assured ones, whereas the other characters are still struggling with who they are.”
a&e features
Los Angeles Black Pride raises community consciousness uplifting Black, queer talent
Here is a slice of Pride rooted in ownership, not optics
When most people think of Pride they more often than not relate it to parades parties. Far too many often forget that it is also a platform. Los Angeles Black Pride (LABP) isn’t just raising the flag. They are raising community consciousness at a time when white, mainstream aesthetic often enjoys borrowing from Black, queer culture without acknowledging the appropriation at hand. LABP does the work to flip the script.
This year, the celebration takes a bold economic stance. Visibility is cute, but viability pays the bills.
BLQ+MKT: Not Your Average Pop-Up
Enter BLQ+MKT, LABP’s unapologetically Black, queer vendor marketplace that’s one part business expo, one part cultural homecoming and all of the parts hustle. It’s not just about selling candles and tees, no matter how hard those candles do slap. It’s about building an ecosystem where Black LGBTQ entrepreneurs are seen and supported. This marketplace is not a low-key side attraction — it’s the main stage for economic empowerment.
By centering queer-owned brands, LABP is addressing a long-overdue market correction. Black LGBTQ folks represent a whopping $113 billion in spending power. That’s not just an audience, it’s a full-on economy. And yet, less than 10% of advertising content reflects this reality. BLQ+MKT says what the mainstream won’t — put some respect and revenue on our names.
Lakeyah: Headliner meets head-turner
Speaking of showstoppers, LABP will feature none other than Lakeyah – rapper, baddie, and blueprint for how queer-centered entertainment can drive community dollars. Her presence isn’t just a vibe, it’s part of a larger economic strategy. When you book talent that reflects the community, you do more than just fill seats. You circulate wealth, amplify voices, and make it very clear who this party is really for. She opens for Saucy Santana at this year’s Saturday night main event.
The Business of being seen
LABP is turning Pride into praxis. By shaping spaces where artistry and ownership meet, they’re shifting the focus from being seen to being paid — and paying it forward. This is about building power without waiting around for permission. Applause is adorable. Ownership changes everything.
Come for the music, the joy, the lewks that will leave zero crumbs. And while partaking in all of the Pride, take a closer look. Every booth at BLQ+MKT, every track Lakeyah drops, carries the architecture of a future rooted in Black queer autonomy. In LABP’s world, Pride isn’t solely a performance. It’s a goddamn power move.
To purchase tickets or for more information, head to http://losangelesblackpride.org/
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